SAICM/ICCM.4/14
/ SAICM/ICCM.4/14/ Distr.: General
11 August 2015
Original: English
International Conference on Chemicals Management
Fourth session
Geneva, 28 September–2 October 2015
Item 7 (a) of the provisional agenda[(]
Activities of the secretariat and budget: proposed budget of the secretariat
Activities and staffing of the secretariat
Report by the secretariat
I. Introduction
1. Pursuant to paragraph 29 of the Overarching Policy Strategy of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, the International Conference on Chemicals Management, in its resolution I/1, requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to establish and assume overall administrative responsibility for the Strategic Approach secretariat and to co-locate it with the chemicals and wastes cluster of UNEP. The Conference invited the Executive Director of UNEP and the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide appropriate staff and other resources in accordance with the indicative budget and staffing provisions set out in tables 1 and 2 of the resolution. In paragraph 19 of the Overarching Policy Strategy, Governments and other stakeholders were invited to provide resources to enable the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to fulfil its tasks, and the private sector, including industry, foundations and other non-governmental organizations, was also invited to contribute.
2. At its first session, held in Nairobi from 23 to 27June 2014, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted resolution 1/5 on chemicals and waste, in which it recalled the lead role of UNEP in arranging for an effective and efficient secretariat for the Strategic Approach and requested the Executive Director to continue to support the Strategic Approach, including in the development of orientation and guidance to implement the 2020 goal. In the same resolution, the Environment Assembly invited the Director-General of WHO to assume a leading role in the Strategic Approach and to provide appropriate staff and other resources to its secretariat. The Environment Assembly further invited members of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) to consider ways to support the Strategic Approach secretariat, including possible staffing support. The resolution is available for the consideration of the Conference in a note by the secretariat (SAICM/ICCM.4/INF/22).
3. The annex to the present report sets out a summary account of the activities of the secretariat since the update provided to the Conference at its third session (activities in the document for the third session of the Conference were reported up to June 2012), taking into account the adoption by the Conference of its resolution III/5 on the indicative budget and staffing table for the period 2013–2015. The summary account focuses on the activities implemented during the period from July 2012 to June 2015 and sets out information on the staffing, funding and budget considerations of the secretariat.
4. The annex to the present report also provides information on the proposed budget and staffing for the periods 2016–2018 and 2019–2020, based on the current staffing complement of the secretariat, taking into consideration that the activities, budget and future staffing needs for the periods 2016–2018 and 2019–2020 are to be guided by the overall orientation and guidance towards the 2020 goal of sound management of chemicals (SAICM/ICCM.4/6). In its resolution III/5, the Conference requested the secretariat to prepare a budget for the period 2016–2018 for consideration by the Conference at its fourth session. Upon the request of the Bureau of the fourth session of the Conference, the secretariat has also prepared a budget covering the period 2019–2020 that recognizes that the fourth session is currently the last decision-making meeting scheduled before 2020. Therefore the Conference may wish to consider adopting a budgeting decision covering the whole period up to and including 2020.
II. Possible action
5. The Conference may wish to consider the information provided in the secretariat report.
6. The Conference may wish to adopt a resolution along the following lines:
The Conference,
Taking note of the secretariat activities and budget document for 2016–2018 and 2019–2020,
Recalling that funding for the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management is provided on a voluntary basis,
Recalling its resolution I/1 and decision SS.IX/1 of 9 February 2006 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme, which assigns to the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization lead roles in the secretariat in their respective areas of expertise,
Noting with urgency the limited time remaining in which to achieve the 2020 goal,
1. Welcomes the support of the United Nations Environment Programme to continue to strengthen the Strategic Approach in the lead-up to 2020 by hosting the secretariat, strengthening staffing for the secretariat during the reporting period and contributing financially towards the organization of the Conference;
2. Notes with appreciation the work undertaken by the secretariat since the adoption of the Strategic Approach;
3. Calls upon the World Health Organization to continue supporting the work of the secretariat in its areas of expertise by reassigning a staff member to the secretariat at the earliest date possible;
4. Encourages all Governments and other stakeholders in a position to do so to contribute financial and other resources to enable the secretariat to perform its mandated functions as set out in paragraph 28 of the Overarching Policy Strategy and in resolutions of the Conference;
5. Approves the indicative programme of work, budget and staffing structure for the secretariat for the periods 2016–2018 and 2019–2020 as set out in the report by the secretariat;[1]
6. Approves the upgrade of the P-2 Strategic Approach General Associate Programme Officer to P-3 Programme Officer with immediate effect;
7. Approves a budget allocation for the P-3 Knowledge Management Programme Officer with immediate effect;
8. Confirms a date for the full and final closure of the Quick Start Programme Trust Fund, taking into account that the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme should be informed at least six months in advance of the closure;
9. Requests the secretariat to facilitate meetings and intersessional work between the fourth and the fifth sessions of the Conference, including the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group, in accordance with resolution II/6, in advance of the fifth session of the Conference;
10. Invites the Strategic Approach secretariat to further increase cooperation and coordination with relevant stakeholders, such as the Secretariat of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and the Interim Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, on issues of common relevance;
11. Requests the secretariat to report to the Conference on its activities, staffing and budget at its fifth session.
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SAICM/ICCM.4/14
Annex
I. Activities and financing of the secretariat from July 2012 to June 2015 and proposed activities for the period 2016–2020
A. Activities
- The present report provides information on the activities of the secretariat for the period from July 2012 to June 2015 according to the functions set out in paragraph 28 of the Overarching Policy Strategy, as well as functions set out in subsequent resolutions of the Conference on the Quick Start Programme and emerging policy issues.
- Table 1 highlights activities undertaken by the secretariat from July 2012 to June 2015 and proposed activities following the fourth session of the Conference for the period 2016–2020, based on the activities contained in the Overarching Policy Strategy and the overall orientation and guidance document.
Table 1
Activities undertaken by the secretariat (July 2012–June 2015) and proposed activities following the fourth session of the Conference (2016–2020)
Function of the Strategic Approachsecretariat / Activities July 2012–June 2015 / Proposed activities 2016–2020a /
Core mandate (paragraph 28 of the Overarching Policy Strategy)
(a) Facilitate meetings and intersessional work of the Conference, as well as regional meetings / Finalized arrangements for the third session of the Conference. The Conference provided stakeholders with the opportunity to review progress in the implementation of the Strategic Approach, including its future financing, and to agree on key activities to be undertaken in the light of the 2020 goal
Organized five regional meetings to facilitate input into Strategic Approach activities, the overall orientation and guidance and activity priority-setting, and facilitated the exchange of expertise and information as follows:
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Mexico City, 19–22 August 2013
- Central and Eastern Europe: Skopje, 23–26 September 2013
- Africa: Pretoria, 18–22 November 2013
- EU-JUSSCANNZ:b Paris, 14February 2014
- Asia-Pacific: Kuala Lumpur,
23–27 March 2014
Organized meetings of regional coordinating bodies to prepare for regional meetings, to identify priority needs in relation to the implementation of the Strategic Approach and to develop regional positions on key issues that were integrated with the above-mentioned regional meetings
Organized face-to-face meetings of the Bureau of the Conference in July 2013, June2014 and April/May 2015
Facilitated six teleconferences of the Bureau of the Conference
Planned, raised funds for and facilitated the second meeting of the Open-ended Working Group. It provided a forum for stakeholders to discuss the overall orientation and guidance document, possible further work under the emerging policy issues and other issues of concern, and the links between the sustainable development goals and the sound management of chemicals
Planned, drafted documents, raised funds for and organized the fourth session of the Conference / The fifth session of the Conference in 2020
The third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in advance of the fifth session of the Conference
Two rounds of regional meetings in advance of the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group and the fifth session of the Conference, in order to prepare for that meeting and that session and to facilitate input into Strategic Approach activities, receive updates from regions against priority actions agreed upon by the Conference at its fourth session and promote the exchange of expertise and information
Annual face-to-face meetings of the Bureau of the Conference and teleconferences of the Bureau in the intersessional period to guide Strategic Approach activities and preparations for the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group and the fifth session of the Conference
Planning and fundraising for the above meetings
(b) Report to the Conference on implementation of the Strategic Approach by stakeholders / Provided online data-collection tool (incollaboration with the World Health Organization), allowing stakeholders to report on progress in Strategic Approach implementation, initially between 30 January and 31March 2014. Following requests by stakeholders, an extension was formally provided up to 30 April 2014. The secretariat worked with remaining stakeholders still seeking to provide reports after this date until 7 June 2014 when the tool was fully closed. The data collected from Governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations was analysed and used to develop a report on progress in the implementation of the Strategic Approach, building on the previous report submitted to the Conference at its third session (see SAICM/ICCM.4/3)
At its third session, the Conference requested the secretariat to prepare overall orientation and guidance to facilitate achievement of the 2020 goal. A concept note was developed in 2013 and consulted upon with Strategic Approach stakeholders. A consultation framework document was then finalized in consultation with the Bureau in July 2013 and was available for comments during the regional meetings (August 2013–March 2014). After regional consultations, an overall orientation and guidance document was developed and widely consulted upon through the Bureau and the Open-ended Working Group at its second meeting, both in a contact group and in plenary. Feedback was integrated into the document and provided to the Bureau for its face-to-face meeting in April/May 2015, at which that version of the document was incorporated into the final document, which in turn will be submitted to the fourth session of the Conference. / Preparation of two further reporting exercises during the period
2014–2020, including an analysis of the 20 indicators of progress in relation to the post-2015 development agenda, based on consultations with stakeholders and focal points. Any data collected would be analysed and used by the Strategic Approach secretariat to develop a report on progress in the implementation of the Strategic Approach
Proposed reporting periods would be
2014–2016, with a report to be considered at a relevant meeting (e.g., regional meetings or the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group), and 2017–2019, for submission to the Conference at its fifth session in 2020. Such reporting will seek to update stakeholders on Strategic Approach implementation, as per previous years, and will inform on progress related to the implementation of the activities identified under the overall orientation and guidance document
Monitor the secretariat budget and donor contributions and coordinate the preparation of reports to donors
(c) Promote the establishment and maintenance of a network of Strategic Approach stakeholders / Proactively encouraged the nomination of focal points by Strategic Approach stakeholders, generating a steady rise in the number of focal points. As of June 2015, 179 national focal points (an increase from 172 prior to the third session of the Conference), 5 regional focal points (no increase from the number prior to the third session), 85 non-governmental organization focal points (an increase from 76) and 15 intergovernmental organization focal points (an increase from 12) were part of the Strategic Approach network. The secretariat also conducted outreach to encourage the diversity of Strategic Approach contacts
Undertook outreach activities through broadcasts, contributions to newsletters and exhibition spaces, side events and presentations at relevant forums, including during the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions
Organized and supported stakeholder and sectoral consultations through teleconferences and webinars. Notably, this included a series of stakeholder webinars in March–June 2015 following up on the outcomes of the second meeting of the Open-ended Working Group, seeking feedback on the overall orientation and guidance and input into the desired outcomes of the fourth session of the Conference
Hired a consultant in 2015 to commence activities related to enhancing industry partnerships and financial and technical participation in implementation (in line with paragraph 19 (b) of the Overarching Policy Strategy) / Continue to engage with and serve as a platform for the large network of Strategic Approach stakeholders and sectors, proactively encouraging the nomination of focal points by such stakeholders, and greater use of the webinar system of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventionsc to facilitate regular communications